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The type of CV or Resume you create for a fellowship or scholarship application may be very different from what you would want in a resume for a job application!

This page gives you tips on academic CV writing for fellowship applications and other academic settings. Please visit the Career Center for help with resumes for job or internship applications.

We recommend keeping a comprehensive CV file and updating it every semester, so you don’t forget anything. When it’s time to apply for an award or position, draw out the relevant information.

What is a CV?

CV is short for “curriculum vitae,” which is Latin for “course of life.” Unlike a resume, a CV can be fairly wide-ranging, and typically doesn’t have a page limit. For young scholars, most CVs are two pages, while senior professors may have CVs that are in the double digits.

What goes on the CV?

Start with your name and contact information, including email address, followed by education. Include your institution, anticipated graduation date, and your majors and/or minors.

After that, you can include any activities or experiences that have real significance for you.

The other sections can be created and arranged according to relevance for the fellowship you’re pursuing. Some examples include:

As noted above, after the basics (name, contact information, education), you can rearrange the sections on a CV according to the priorities of the fellowship.

CVs are usually arranged according to reverse chronology, with the most recent items first.

General tips

Use standard fonts and neutral colors.

Use active language to describe your experiences and involvement.

Tailor your CV for different purposes. This can mean renaming headings or reorganizing it.

List your name and page number on each page.

Remember to review with the eye of someone who doesn’t know you. What do those acronyms mean? How selective is that program? What is the purpose of that organization?

Follow directions! Some applications will require a specific format or set a page limit.

For fellowship applications, you don’t usually need to include the amount of money awarded for past fellowships or scholarships.

Social Media and LinkedIn

Selection committees for some prestigious awards regularly google candidates. Keep your social media profiles private or use privacy settings to limit the visibility of your posts. Make sure tagged items and photos of you are appropriate.

We do recommend making a public LinkedIn profile. Only link with people you know.